Former Bradley Braves star guard Darrell Brown Jr., became his godfather's director of player development for an American Athletic Conference team.
PEORIA — Darrell Brown Jr. officially started a job with the University of Memphis men's basketball team, a move anticipated since April after he left the Bradley Braves coaching staff.
The former Bradley star guard spent the last two seasons as the Braves' director of player development and worked closely with the program's guards.
He has been hired as director of player development at Memphis, in his hometown, where he will work under Tigers coach Penny Hardaway.
The former NBA star is Brown's godfather.
"It's going to be fun," Brown Jr., said. "I'm working for a great person first and foremost. Penny is a genius at the game in my opinion, studied it, teaches it."
Brown Jr. was a centerpiece for Bradley coach Brian Wardle's program rebuild from 2016-20, earning all-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 2017-18 (third-team), 2018-19 (second team) and 2019-20 (second team).
The 5-foot-10 guard finished his career with 1,860 points, fifth all-time in school history. His career totals included 225 made 3-pointers (BU fourth all-time), 491 assists (fifth all-time) and 483 made free throws (sixth all-time).
He thrived under Wardle's tutelage on BU's coaching staff, working with Bradley's guards on teams amid a run of three straight NIT appearances.
"It was a great six years in Peoria (four as a player, two on coaching staff)," Brown Jr., said. "We won a lot of games. I am forever grateful for all the fans and the community support there.
"Joining the coaching staff, you don't really know what you're getting yourself into until you do it. Working with players, studying the game, watching Coach Wardle, all those things helped me develop.
"The opportunity came for me to join a program (at home) and continue my path, and I had to take that."
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or [email protected]. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Darrell Brown Jr. joins Memphis coaching staff after Bradley career, coach
Category: General Sports
